Behringer Ultracoustic AT108 Acoustic Combo Amp Review

Without an amp, rehearsals would obviously be a pain. We reviewed an amp or two in our previous posts, but we think you deserve a wider selection. Today, we’re deconstructing the Behringer Ultracoustic AT108, a 20W amplifier designed to meet the various sonic needs of musicians and instruments.

When you’re out getting amps, you would want to get the bright “in-your-face” tune and the unmistakable tube-like but buttery sound. Packing the big punches, the AT108 is equipped with Behringer’s Virtual Tube Circuitry and its 3-band sound-modifying EQ, a strong combo we found to be more than satisfactory.

Crisp, clean, and packed with plenty of volume, the AT108 is anything but inadequate. However, we did spot some little struggle when we set this up alongside several other guitar amps and a PA – it required more EQ levels and more notches up the volume to be heard. At 8-9 levels, it produced a muddy, very overdriven sound so be sure to keep that in mind. Regardless, we found it to be an excellent single companion.

Compactness is one feature we consistently try to look for in an amp; it’s never easy lugging them around, which is why we found the AT108 to fit the midsized audience bill. If you’re a regular performer, this amp is a good starting option. Pro tip: you can use this one with a Behringer Ultragain MIC100 pre-amplifier – with it you’ll notice how the 5-levels are much better improved by the pre-amp’s gain and output set in the lower quadrant.

You can also hit the hi/mid/low settings for a more balanced tone, or for exploring all the sounds in between the lower and upper ranges. We think the $99 price is a good deal, although there are cheaper kits out there. But for what it’s worth, the AT108 could be you more uncompromised go-to unit, that is if you don’t want any complex built-in effects or if you don’t want to handle firmware updates.

No need to worry about any hisses or hums while on dull mode; we tried dialing up a guitar’s output to 6-7 – no hiss whatsoever. If you want to get the right tone balance for your axe, simply adjust the output so that it doesn’t over-emphasize the bass strings.

Is it for you?

If you want a simple, convenient amp for your acoustic needs, we recommend you try the AT108. No complex technical handlings, just simple plug and play.